Posthumous Knighthoods -- Christine Learns Something

Zyzzybalubah writes:(Do they knight deceased people in England? If so, why no silly little medals for John & George? And poor Ringo is still kickin'...why not one for him?

It seems like the knighthood is becoming like the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame insomuch as eventually every famous British person will be knighted just as eventually every rock band will be in the RnRHoF.)

Eppylover's Reply:Zyzz, indeed, many people have been posthumously knighted by the Queen. I was previously under the impression that John and George had been bestowed knighthoods, mainly because of all the news reports after their deaths that it would happen.

I was going to reply in that vein (that they were indeed knighted posthumously), but I generally like to back up my statements with a link. Well, duh, to my surprise, I find that the "Sir-hoods" of John Lennon and George Harrison do not exist after all. As you probably knew all along. *blush*

From DMME.netGEORGE, NO GALLANT NIGHTContrary to earlier information, George Harrison won't be knighted posthumously, apparently due to Britain’s rules of protocol not allowing such a honour. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office said on the occasion, "The rules state that posthumous honors are only awarded for acts of valor. There are absolutely no plans to change that and we have never indicated that there are." To set the record straight, William Chapman, the Secretary of Appointments at 10 Downing Street, wrote an open letter stating,

"The Prime Minister may not recommend posthumous awards to the Order of the British Empire. I can assure you that this rule has not changed and that there is no truth in newspaper reports that a knighthood is to be bestowed on the late George Harrison."

That sucks royal bung. So -- the alteration of world culture in the most dazzling manner imaginable is not an act of valor. I see. I suppose they mean you have to be killed while doing a spectacularly brave deed, preferably a war thing. That's my interpretation of the above.

A posthumous MBE for Eppy? There's got to be a little bit of hope on that score... Hello, King Chuckie?

I doubt if poor Ringo will ever get knighted. I mean, as he always said, "Me? I'm just the droomer." __________

and the RRHoF... jeez...I swear that every wealthy guitar-wielding schmuck will get that dubious "honor."

However, it burns me that all sorts of LIVING "non-performers" that I've never heard of are inducted, and Brian Epstein NEVER will be. Unless... someone makes a miracle happen, somehow.

People worldwide access the RRHOF to be told who made a difference in the evolution of modern music. They end up with no idea about who Brian was or what he did. Incredibly for me, many people I know (including my own husband) didn't even recognize his name until I informed them. That's so unfair. And that's basically why I began caring personally. Somebody has to.

The music industry thrives on money and power. Unless some other kind of pressure to induct an individual is applied, the deciders and voters do it only to fill their pockets and return favors.

The RRHOF's main income is brought in by the annual induction ceremony. The people who pay to attend come to see lots of LIVE celebrities show up and accept the awards. Eppy loses because he's not alive.

Also, the music industry people who decide and vote in this thing almost always personally know the people they're voting for. They're kissing butt, paying back favors and slapping backs.

There are very few (if any) decision-making voters who actually knew Brian. Inducting Brian would put no money in any of their pockets. Eppy loses because he's not profitable for them, nor can he pull any strings for them...

...My main passion is to someday see the day when the name Brian Epstein is every bit as recognizable and loved as the names of the other Beatles. Also, of course, to restore the dignity and respect he deserves.

Despite my opinion of the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," that place is probably going to be around for a long long time. An ungodly number of people worldwide will trust it to be their only source to identify the pioneers of modern music. And they will walk away having no clue about the man who changed the world by bringing us the Beatles. FROM 11/17/2004 post--> RRHOF - Why won't more people care?